Kawhi Leonard posted 30 points (FG 9-17), seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks to push the Toronto Raptors to a 123-109 win over the Golden State Warriors in game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Golden State’s only lead was in the first quarter when they were up 5-4. Whenever the Warriors would clip the deficit to single digits, the Raptors had an answer and went on their own run.
Stephen Curry was everything for Golden State scoring a playoff career-high of 47 points (FG 14-31), eight rebounds, seven assists, and shot 6-14 from downtown. No one on Toronto could guard him. Curry had to come out with a monster performance with injuries from Durant, Thompson, and Looney. Unfortunately, Curry didn’t have much help. DeMarcus Cousins was 1-7 from the field and Draymond Green shot 6-14 from the floor. The Warriors were poor from the field shooting 39.6% (FG 36-91) and 33.3% (3PT 12-36) from behind the arc.
The Raptors had production from everyone as the team shot 52.4% (FG 43-82). The starters all scored 17 or more points. Kyle Lowry and Danny Green were lighting it up from three-point land combining for 11-19. Serge Ibaka was swatting shots left and right coming up with six blocks, although a couple of them should’ve been called goaltending.
I thought that Toronto could’ve won by a larger margin. Without Thompson and Durant, I expected the Raptors to blow out the Warriors but Curry kept them in the game.
The Raptors will go into game 4 with a 2-1 lead with Klay Thompson returning to the lineup. We’ll see if the Warriors can tie up the series despite their injuries. Game 4 will be on Friday at Oracle Arena on ABC at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Photo credit: (Bleacher Report)